Ikale World Congress (IWC) President, Chief Dayo Ayebo pays Ikale Royal Fathers courtesy visit, preaches cohesion among the monarchs.
– Steve Ovirih.
In what looked like a follow-up to the Ikale Security Observer (ISO) Summit which held virtual on the 17th September between Ikale stakeholders, the Royal Fathers and the ISO conveners from their respective bases in Europe and America who interfaced vide the zoom template with the Ikale Royal Fathers, the President of Ikale World Congress (IWC), Chief Dayo Ayebo, who was in Nigeria has paid a specially scheduled courtesy visit to Ikale Obas.
It would be recalled that Chief Ayebo , in his remark during the Security Summit, had said he would soon be in Nigeria and he would visit the monarchs for a one- on -one parley to touch base with them and seek a common ground between the Ikale monarchs and IWC.
Thus , on Sunday, the 17th October, Chief Ayebo traversed the swath of Ikaleland , moving from one Palace to another where he had worthwhile deliberations and quite indepth interface with the custodians of Ikale tradition and foremost traditional institutions in Ikaleland.
The first port of call for the IWC President was the palace of the Majuwa of Moribodo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Earnest Idepefo. The Royal Father received with warmth Chief Ayebo and his entourage among whom were the Philadelphia based Mr. Bode Ayebo and Engr. Biyi Ikujuni.
While explaining the reason for the visit to Majuwa, Chief Ayebo said the visit was necessitated by his desire to ensure there is unity among Ikale monarchs. “My desire is to encourage unity among Ikale Royal Fathers so that their subjects can confidently align with their point of view and follow their leadership.”
Ayebo told the Majuwa of Moribodo that Ikale Security Observer (ISO) which convened the September summit at Gen. Bajowa’s residence at Igbotako is an offshoot of Ikale World Congress (IWC), stressing that the objective of IWC is to consolidate on and ensure adequate security in Ikale nation, noting that the body had pulled resources together to support in the rehabilitation of the public facilities which were destroyed in Okitipupa during the ill-fated year 2020 Endsars protest which was hijacked by hoodlums.
In his remark, Oba Earnest Idepefo thanked Chief Dayo Ayebo profusely for the visit and offered him traditional prayers of the stool of the Majuwa of Moribodo Kingdom. He said Ayebo is a prized son of Ikale in whom he is very proud, adding that with more people like the President of IWC, the future of Ikale nation is well assured.
After both of them had jointly addressed the press, they went into a closed door session which lasted twenty minutes.
At Igbotako Osooro, The Rebuja of Osooro played host to Chief Dayo Ayebo. The Halu of Aye Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Williams Akinlade was also on ground at Rebuja’s palace for the interface with the IWC President. In his opening remark, the special guest of the two Royal Fathers , Chief Dayo Ayebo said he has brought the compliments of the association all the way from the United States. ” Kabiesi, the purpose of this visit is to plead with you and other Ikale monarchs to key into the unity agenda as being projected and worked on by IWC. I can reliably tell you sir that your sons and daughters overseas are projecting Ikale as their source which they are boldly proud of. In Philadelphia where I live, Ikales are so united that it was resolved that the President of IWC must come from the Philadelphia branch. My number plate in Philadelphia, it may interest you to know sir, is Ikale 1.
” So, onbehalf of Ikale World Congress, I sue for peace among the Obas , I appeal that they sheathe their sword and maintain a common ground and see issues from the same prism so that development can be attracted to Ikale, ” Chief Ayebo pleaded.
While responding, the host , Oba Gbadebo Bajowa thanked Chief Ayebo, whom he described as “Ojulogho Oma Ikale (a quintessential son of Ikale soil)”
The Rebuja of Osooro land said, ” Dayo, your journey is well made and very well appreciated. What you have done is a good move and it’s pure sacrifice of love for your fatherland. I can’t thank you enough.
” However, on the charge to Ikale monarchs to be united, I can assure you that we are united. Yes, there may be issues; you know yourself that in the organization of human beings there are always issues but when there are issues , the diplomatic savvy required to resolve it is very Paramount. The matter on ground will be resolved based on the available means of resolution of such matters , which of course is the option that all parties involved seemed to have subscribed to for now. Unity is of essence not only among the monarchs but among everyone across Ikaleland. Peace and conflict resolution is either a matter for the courts to adjudicate on or through the alternative mutual conflict resolution efforts. Our society will develop in the ambience of peace and that is what we shall all collectively work towards.
The Halu of Aye, Oba Williams Akinlade said the Royal Fathers from the time immemorial had been looked up to for guidance and are seen as custodian of traditional authority . He advised his monarch colleagues to cooperate as only when there is cooperation that their voice will attract compelling attention.
Chief Ayebo also visited the Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa, His Royal Majesty Oba Adetoye Michael Obatuga who received him and his entourage with warm enthusiasm.
Chief Ayebo presented before the Jegun of Idepe the efforts of IWC towards ensuring that rehabilitation works at the public facilities touched by protesters are concluded in timely fashion, noting that IWC has contributed about ten thousand dollars for the rehabilitation project. He however sought a common ground among the Royal Fathers in Ikale.
Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa saluted the commitment of IWC and appreciated their support and contributions to the success of the recently held Ikale Security Observer (ISO) summit. The Royal Father advised Ikale sons and daughters in the Diaspora to come home and establish industries in Ikale , adding that there are a lot of foreign direct investment profiles that can be channeled home by those in Diaspora in their bid to develop the land.
At the palace of the Regent of Irele, HRH Olarewaju Ayeromara, Chief Dayo Ayebo made it clear that IWC will be happy to see Ikale Royal Fathers project a common front in their bid to ensure the protection of their environment against aggressors. He said IWC will work together with the monarchs to foster development in the area.
In his response, the Regent of Irele who prayed for Chief Ayebo assured him that all hands are on deck to secure Ikale and its environment against external aggression.
The Irele Regent said Chief Ayebo is a positive emissary of IWC, adding that he met them where they were holding an exclusive session on matters of security of Irele kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Odogbo of Omi, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olorunsola Akinyelure has reiterated the need for Ikale Royal Fathers and the people of Ikale to ascribe the appropriate reverence befitting of the stool of the Abodi of Ikaleland as the foremost traditional stool in Ikale. Oba Akinyelure gave this indication at his palace at Omi while playing host to the President of Ikale World Congress,
Chief Dayo Ayebo. Hear him, “the history of Ikale rests on the institution of Abodi followed by that of Odogbo..In the days of yore, those were the two beaded crowns in the entire Ikale nation while others were Olojas therefore, Abodi should be seen by all who respect the rich history of Ikaleland as the head of Ikale traditional institution,” Oba Akinyelure stressed.
The Royal Father saluted the sacrifice of Chief Ayebo for leaving his Philadelphia base and coming home to seek peace among Ikale monarchs.
While responding, Chief Ayebo appreciated his sincere counsel and added that IWC is passionate about the all round development of Ikale nation.
Chief Ayebo also visited the Palace of The Ahaba of Ajagba, His Royal Majesty , Oba Thomas Oluwole Adesayo.
At the Palace of Ahaba, the IWC President solicited the cooperation of the Royal Father as he presented the development master plan of Ikale World Congress to the monarch. He said the objective of his visit to Ikale monarchs is to appeal to them to work in agreement so that peace can reign supreme in Ikale.
Oba Adesayo thanked Ayebo and offered him special prayers of the stool for the success of his leadership of the body of Ikales in The Disapora.
The round trip of IWC finally arrived at the Palace of The Abodi of Ikaleland, His Royal Majesty, Oba George Babatunde Faduyile. He was received by the prominent paramount ruler and his Olori, Olori Grace Faduyile.
It will be recalled that Chief Ekundayo Ayebo himself is a son of Ikoya soil, so it was a homecoming of a son to his patriarch after a long sojourn .
Chief Ayebo noted that the stabilizing effort of Abodi as a peacemaker has not gone without notice. He thanked him for attending the ISO summit and appreciated his words of advice at the summit. He however appealed to the monarch to continue to reach out to other Ikale monarchs and enhance a concerted effort of the Ikale traditional institution towards building a lasting peace, stressing that the people will continue to look up to the Royal Fathers for leadership and advice , hence the need for them to present a united front on Ikale issues of security and development.
Abodi in his remark specifically reiterated the fact that the palace is in agreement with other Ikale monarchs on how to fast track development in Ikaleland, noting that the traditional institutions in Ikale came together after the Endsars crisis to strategize on how to put things in order after the havoc and terrible devastation that followed the Endsars Protest of year 2020. He maintained that the outcome of the strategic deliberations of the monarchs led to the convocation of the Rehabilitation Committee headed by the Jagunmolu of Ikaleland, Gen. Olu Bajowa and the committee has recorded a huge success so far.
The Abodi added that as far as unity among the Obas is concerned he is in good terms with the others; he however added that there is a hierarchical order in Ikale traditional institution and the hierarchical structure cannot be undermined no matter what.
Speaking with thepolity.net on the visit of Chief Ayebo, retired Commissioner of Police Abayomi Akeremale, who was the guest speaker at the ISO summit held in September, said Chief Ayebo has kept his promise to visit Ikale Royal Fathers after the summit. He said Ikale World Congress is a pride of the people of Ondo South and the people of Ikale will continue to pray for their success in their respective bases overseas.
On the matter of Ikale security, Chief Otaibayomi Akeremale said at the summit deliberations were made and conclusions were reached, adding that they are gravitating towards the actualisation of the ISO deliberations now.
IWC President, Chief Ekundayo Ayebo who spoke with thepolity.net at the end of the palace visits said he will return to the United States to report to his members that the royal fathers have given him their words to encourage unity in order to increase the pace of development of Ikaleland.
The President of Ikale World Congress, Chief Dayo Ayebo expressed his appreciation to all the members of IWC for their support , particularly Mrs. Yinka Ibitoye ,the Vice President who lives in Maryland, Prince Kunle Markson Ayeku, the PRO in New York, Mr. Seyi Obagbemi the Treasurer in Houston Texas and Social Secretary, Ms. Solape Olafioye in Maryland .
Members of The Advisory Committee of the association starting with Philadelphia based Pastor Soyi Akinsola, Pastor Tunji Ogunmola and Chief Modupe Olowodahunsi were appreciated by Chief Ayebo. The IWC President also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Durojaye Akindutire in New York,
Dr. Darcy Ibitoye in Maryland, Aare Prof. Salewa Olafioye in Michigan, the Minnesota based Mrs. Moji Olafeso and California based Prince Rinde Akinsola.
” I won’t forget my brother who has gone to actively participate in politics in Nigeria and now Member House of Assembly in Ondo State, Hon. Samuel Ademola.
“I also thank
Dr. Olusegun Akinjide,
Prof. Benson Akingbemi , Prof Dele Omosegbon ,
Prince Engr. Dokun Faduyile,
Prince Sanmi Agagu,
Mr. Bola Akinmade ,
Mr. Goke Akingbehin
Dr.(Mrs.) Remi Adewale,
Mr. Niyi Dodolewa ,
Otunba Yomi Fagbeja,
Mrs. Selia Bohan Alabi,
Mr. Abiodun Adelokiki,
Pastor Dolapo Olowu,
Mr. Kolawole Ademuwagun,
Akin Iwajomo,
Erelu Tinu Onaneye ,
and the rest of the members of the Congress whose opinions, inputs and contributions I hold in high esteem, ” Chief Ayebo added.
